SCRIP-BITS

Luke 11:28.    But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
 
Oh Friends, I was just inspired to offer a prayer of thanks for the opportunity to see another day. So let’s say it together: ‘Oh Lord, we give you grateful thanks for the wonderful blessing of seeing another day, and for all the other blessings you’ll kindly and mercifully pour down on us today. Please keep us safe and help us to walk worthy of you. We praise and bless your Holy Name. In Jesus, we pray. Amen’ Yes Friends, remember it’s always right and proper to give thanks, and we have more than most to be thankful for. Now yesterday we began looking at our current Bit, which occurred after Jesus preached on the frailty of a divided house and a woman in the crowd audibly blessed His mother’s womb and the breasts that nourished Him. In reply though, Jesus said: ‘Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.’ That’s something we all know is very true, but yet have trouble complying with it. So we’re picking out some scriptures that deal with the subject, in the hope that they will shame and bring us to heel and make us do better in obeying the Lord’s Word. Today we’ll begin with some meaningful words from Jesus Himself. At one of His revival meetings (smile) the place was so packed that Jesus’ mother and family couldn’t gain access to Him, and when someone told Him: ‘Thy mother and thy brethren stand without (outside) desiring to see thee. And he answered and said, My mother and my brethren are those which hear the word of God, and do it.’ (Luke 8:20-21) Yes Friends, as we noted yesterday, our relationship with God is even more important than that with our earthly family, and the most important aspects of our lives are to worship and be obedient to God. And that great Psalm, 119, the longest chapter in the Good Book, begins thus: Blessed are the undefiled (blameless) in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with their whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto (look into) all thy commandments.’ (Ps.119:1-6) Oh my people, it truthfully exalts all those who sincerely seek the Lord and obey His will! That great seer Isaiah, also touches on the subject when talking of Israel’s unfaithfulness being rebuked: ‘Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. O that thou hadst hearkened to (heeded) my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea: Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels (body) like the gravel (grains of sand) thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.’  (Is.48:17-19) That too is plain and simple my brethren: I am your God, who prospers you and shows you the right path. If you had listened to me, then you’d have had exceeding peace; ‘peace like a river,’ and godliness ‘as the waves of the sea.’ Wow! That sure is plenty of both things my Friends! Both of which we could surely use in abundance right now, in our crazy, confused, violent and evil world. That brings to mind a Peter Morgan song I recently heard. He’s one of the Morgan Heritage brothers. The song’s titled ‘I’m so lost.’ And the chorus goes: ‘Without you in my world, I’m so lost, Since you’re gone I’m living a life that’s so lonely. Without you in my world.’ Oh mih people, that’s exactly how we’re living these days without the Most High God Jehovah in our lives and our world; lost and lonely! And isn’t it a crying shame, that with the availability of such an omnipotent, LOVING, merciful, gracious and forgiving Deity, we choose to be enamoured of Lucifer and his worthless trinkets, plus his evil, inhumane, oppressive attitudes? It surely is my Friends! Our Saviour Jesus must be sorely disappointed in us, having sacrificed His innocent, sinless life so unselfishly, so that we could have a means of escaping the ultimate penalty for our abominable sins; that of everlasting death and damnation. But instead we’re rooting for the foolish fallen angel, Lucifer. Hn! Don’t tell me that we don’t have a screw missing mih breddren, just like Lucifer did, when he tried to overthrow the omnipotent God, his Lord and Master! Oh mih people, the Spirit’s surely got the ole fella on a roll. (smile) But it’s just simple logic. If two persons are offering two items; one looks pretty now, but soon loses it’s lustre and shine, and then becomes useless, while the other offering isn’t as glittering and glamorous now, but it certainly has great built in rewards, both now and in the future, which would the wise and sensible person choose eh? Obviously the one with the better long tem benefits! Only a fool would choose the glossy but soon defunct and destroyed benefit. But unfortunately Friends, that’s exactly what too many of us are choosing right now! However, for those of us who’ve chosen the right path, it’s our bounden duty to try and show the right way to those lost and lonely ones going down Lucifer’s evil path to sure death and destruction. My people, our Lord and Saviour Jesus, is depending on us to do our duty. Remember His last words to the disciples: ‘All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt.28:18-20) Oh Friends, if we sincerely LOVE Jesus, and believe He is who and what He claims to be, then let’s go out and do our very best for Him nuh. More tomorrow on this topic, God willing. Till then, go safely with God. Much LOVE!…only by diligently talking the talk…and walking the walk…will we show our true LOVE for Jesus…

Luke 11:28.    But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Deuteronomy 32:35.   To me belongeth vengeance and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. 
 
Oh Friends, I spelled October right today! Praise the Lord! Don’t know how many of you noticed, but yesterday I simply wrote Octer at the very top. And was I mad at myself for that oversight when I noticed it later on. But since there was nothing I could do about it then, I had to eventually calm my spirit. Anyway, here’s an interesting story. Earlier on today, I had an argument, a discussion really, with an acquaintance about the value of prayer, and teaching his children to pray. He was adamant that he would teach them maths and science, since so many religions existed, with each claiming to be the right one. I kept telling him that it wasn’t about religion per se, but a belief in a Higher Power, a Higher Being, who created and kept us going. A power that satisfied the spiritual side of man, another avenue for man to turn to, in both good times and bad, especially when we’re lost, confused and disappointed by our fellow man. I don’t know if he was just egging me on, because he’s very capable of that, and it’s a discussion we’ve had before. I know that he’s turned to prayer when times were rough, and believe me, at one stage they were very rough, so I don’t see how he could justifiably deny his children that wonderful source of succour when they have grown up in a broken, seriously dysfunctional family, where the parents have been at odds, and in the courts, for years. No doubt they desperately need a safe and secure place to turn to when the constant acrimony they live with overburdens their young, innocent souls. But unfortunately Friends, that’s the kind of attitude we’re experiencing more and more everyday, where the parents have acrimonious relationships and the poor children have to exist in a virtual tug of war between them both. How can they ever grow up emotionally stable without something concrete to keep them properly focused eh? It saddens me to see so many emotionally unstable young people without proper direction, just drifting aimlessly along, or jumping from one idol-like fad to another, seeking some kind of safe harbour, a lot of it caused by their parents selfishness, because that’s what it boils down to in many cases; pure unadulterated, adult selfishness. But again Friends, that’s what happens when we remove God from our lives. Moses’ song was a reminder of just that; turn away from God and you’ll pay a stiff penalty. But nonetheless, several times they did reject the God of their fathers for pagan idols. Can you believe it people, they actually turned away from the great, merciful and LOVING God who brought them out of slavery in Egypt and settled them in a land of milk and honey that they never worked for or deserved. I guess we can, because it’s the same thing we’re doing now. But as our Bit says: ‘To me belongeth vengeance and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.’ I like how Moses puts it: ‘their foot shall slide in due time.’ Yes my people, if and when we walk the wrong paths of life; the rough, muddy and/or stony ones, we do stumble and fall eventually. Our God is very patient, but there comes a time when He has to stand firm and mete out punishment for disobedience to His edicts. Moses warned them that their day of payment would soon come, and the stuff that happened would happen quickly. They wouldn’t have time to contemplate their calamity. Now doesn’t that sound very familiar Friends? Doesn’t it sound like what’s happening to us now? We’ve removed God from our society and our lives, now everyday it’s one calamity after the other; earthquakes, hurricanes, long dormant volcanoes erupting without warning, floods, and serious brush fires, famines all over the world. You name it, we’ve recently experienced it. And, per the scholars, the Lord would use the same nations, enemies of Israel, to bring judgement upon His chosen people. Now He’s doing the same with us. ‘For the Lord shall judge his people, and repent himself (have compassion) for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left. And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted (sought refuge), Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up and help you, and be your protection. See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live forever.’ (Deut.32:36:40) Oh Friends that scripture needs no explanation, for it’s crystal clear. The Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is the ONE and ONLY TRUE GOD; the Head Honcho, El Numero Uno, and will eventually bring disaster and calamity upon those who bow down and worship pagan gods instead of Him. Peter echoed those same sentiments centuries later when speaking of false prophets and teachers. ‘And many shall follow their pernicious (destructive) ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of (blasphemed). And through covetousness shall they with feigned (deceptive) words make merchandise of (exploit) you: whose judgement now of a long time lingereth not (has not been idle), and their damnation (destruction) slumbereth not.’ (2 Pet.2:2-3) Ah my people, those aren’t my words, but the Good Book’s, so you can doubt me, but please NEVER doubt the Good Book, for whatever it says, will come to pass in God’s good time. So let’s wake up and begin the long, arduous task of bringing the Lord God Jehovah back into our lives, for continuing our pagan idol worship will only bring us unmitigated disaster. Much LOVE!…don’t walk the slippery path…for you’ll surely fall…

Deuteronomy 32:35.    To me belongeth vengeance and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

Proverbs 27:6.    Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
 
Oh my beautiful Friends in Christ, I hear you rejoicing: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ So let’s do like 3 Canal advises nuh: ‘chant a chant and welcome the morning!’ All together now with our Friday chant: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen!’ Yes Friends, the weekend is upon us, and for those lucky ones living in Paradise North (smile) it’s only been a four-day workweek, thanks to the Thanksgiving holiday on Monday. That means you shouldn’t be as burnt out as you usually are, unless you’re still recuperating from the holiday celebrations. (smile) Oh, and let’s raise a prayer of thanks for the remaining Chilean miners who were freed yesterday from their harsh, unbelievable ordeal so long under the earth. It really is a miracle yes! I believe that’s the first time such a rescue operation has been performed anywhere, and no serious mishaps occurred. Thank you Lord! Now turning to our Bit. And it sure seemed strange having to look for a Bit since we’ve used the same one for the last six days. But as usual, the Lord in His eternal goodness, looked kindly on me and I didn’t have to stress myself to find one. Thanks again Lord! What a way we thankful to day mih people! But that’s just how it ought to be. Now the Bit says: ‘Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.’ And I’m going to play devil’s advocate here and say that it’s true, if your friends are truly friends, and not enemies in friendly disguise, because I’ve had that happen to me on several occasions. Those I thought were real friends, were actually enemies in friends’ clothing. And let me tell you people, there’s no bigger hurt, no deeper or greater disappointment than finding out that who you thought was your friend, was only pretending to be one, and actually didn’t have your best interest at heart, but was only conveniently using you for their own selfish, ungodly purposes. And the sad thing about that kind of situation is that it turns you off people, makes you wary, distrustful and cynical, unwilling to get into any close relationships again. As the saying goes; ‘who needs friends with enemies like them eh?’ Ah Friends, right here I must say another ‘Thank you Lord,’ for despite the several disappointments I’ve endured like that, I haven’t become distrustful and cynical, but still consider everybody I interact with a friend. Is awright mih children, I know your thoughts on the subject, but the ole fella likes his simple, uncomplicated make up. I find it less stressful, not having to always think and consider the motives behind those I interact with. Over the last few years, the Lord has opened my eyes to certain things, but I’m still basically the same old, trusting soul. And I like it like that, because my spirit is freer and more relaxed, not wrapped up in too much confusion. Besides, the Lord does look after me when I’m hurting. He wraps me in His arms and gives me His strength to go on in my weakness. I’m chuckling here Friends, at the Spirit’s sneakiness, because I never meant this to be a personal testimony, but once I got on a roll, He apparently thought it best to keep me there, confirming my contention that examples work more forcibly than precepts, meaning that a personal testimony will always have more impact than merely outlining the principles. Now having played the devil’s advocate, with the Spirit leading me to testify, let’s look at the unvarnished truth in our Bit. In the first place, NONE of us likes criticism, and very few take it well, even when it’s correct and meaningful. And when our true friends criticize us, it usually hurts more than when enemies do it. But if we’re mature enough, we soon get over it, since it comes from their good, sincere intentions to help us, because it stems from their source of LOVE for us. And though we don’t like to be criticized, I’m sure if someone we consider a true friend, sees us going to make a very crucial and critical mistake and says nothing, because they’re afraid to hurt our feelings, we’ll get annoyed at them and claim they’re not a true friend. My brethren, we can’t have it both ways, so let’s grow up and face the reality that sometimes we’re wrong, and when told so by a close associate, don’t get angry over it. Instead, let’s do the wise thing; carefully consider the criticism. If it’s true or right, say thanks, then make the necessary correction(s) and move on. If it’s not right or true, then say thanks but no thanks, and still move on. Please don’t get caught up too much in the whys and wherefores, because that’s what brings on the stress, resentment and anger. Now the kisses of an enemy are an entirely different cup of tea. From the outset, you know that you have to be very careful when those you don’t see eye to eye with, come around being nice. And one of the most treacherous and disgusting kisses in history, and there’s been many, is that of Judas Iscariot to Jesus. Jesus must still have felt a deep disappointment having one of His very disciples betray Him, although from the beginning, He knew it would happen. Here’s how Luke tells it. When Judas drew near to kiss Jesus, He said to him: ‘Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?’ (Luke 22:48) Matthew relates it differently. ‘Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast (seize him). And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master’ and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him. Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.’ (Matt.26:48-50) Yes Friends, it’s never easy being criticized or betrayed, but the only way to handle it successfully is in a mature, Christian manner. We can’t all be as nonchalant and unperturbed about betrayal as Jesus was, for He knew that it was necessary to fulfill the scriptures, but we certainly can do the Christian thing; believe that it was meant for an important purpose by God. He must have had some good reason, else He wouldn’t have allowed it. We have to go forward in faith, knowing that in His good time, He will heal our hurt and bring us out even better than before, because that’s how He operates. Oh Friends, the true Christian life certainly isn’t easy, but it does provide the best rewards, both in this life and the hereafter. So till we meet again tomorrow, God willing, let’s rise above the unfortunate hurts and disappointments of life, and work towards the greater glory of God nuh. Much LOVE!…only through total trust in, and dependence on God…can we live a good, purposeful life…here on earth…
 

Ezekiel 20:7.    Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
 
Oh Friends, the first order of business today is to give thanks for the safe rescue of the majority of miners trapped underground in the Chilean mine for almost two months. Thank you Lord! It’s heart-warming to see the time, money and effort spent on rescuing them, but I have a question. I don’t know how valid it is, but I’ll ask it anyway. Couldn’t they have used some of that technology, money and otherwise to better shore up the mine and prevent the accident? It’s a hundred year old mine, and no doubt the protection wasn’t up to scratch. But nowadays we seem to conveniently forget the old and true adage that prevention is better than cure. That brings to mind our big fight against cancer, spending millions of dollars uselessly looking for cures, when, if we’d get rid of the numerous carcinogens in the majority of products we use and a lot of the food we eat, the cancer problem would be greatly reduced. But I guess the business people and the researches benefit more this way. In any case, let’s hope that the remaining mine workers are safely rescued today. Please offer a prayer for them my people. Oh Friends, I just realized that our Bit could also be a warning for our scientists and business people who put so much untried and poorly tested chemicals into our food, water and air, just to make a big buck. ‘Cast ye away every man the abominations of (before) his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.’ They have to stop bowing before Lucifer and his cronies and resisting one of the mighty roots of all evil; the LOVE of money, of the almighty dollar. That’s easier said than done though, so I won’t belabour the point. But we will continue looking at King Asa’s life. We’ve seen him destroy the pagan places of worship and their paraphernalia, the turn Judah and some from the other tribes back to worshipping the Lord God of their fathers. They even made a covenant to seek the Lord and anyone who didn’t worship Him would be put to death; very strong sentiments. The house of God was also restored to its former glory and life in Judah was both peaceful and prosperous. Praise the Lord my people! But, and there always seems to be a but, in the 36th year of Asa’s reign, Baasha, king of Israel, began to build the city of Ramah along the borders of the two countries to prevent people from Israel crossing over to Judah. This obviously heightened tension between them and Asa’s reaction to this tense situation was to hire Ben-hadad, the Syrian king’s army to destroy some of Israel’s cities, which they did. The ploy worked admirably, for when Baasha heard of the Syrian invasion, he stopped building Ramah and went back to fight the Syrians. Consequently, Asa and Judah captured the stuff at Ramah, took it away and built the cities of Gebah and Mizpah in Judah. (2 Chr.16:1-7) Now it all seems to have worked out in Asa’s favour. But Friends, think back to a couple days ago, as to what Asa did when confronted with an invading Ethiopian army twice the size of his. Asa cried unto the Lord his God, who smote the Ethiopians and caused Judah to be victorious. (2 Chr.14:9-15) But for whatever reason, this time with a lesser enemy, Israel, instead of turning to God again, Asa turned to vain, mortal man for help. I don’t know if he thought the matter was too small to bring to God, or simply forgot the psalmist’s words re God’s sustaining power: ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.’ (Ps.121:1-2) Oh my people, please note that there is nothing too small and insignificant in our lives to take to God. On the contrary, He wants to be involved in every decision we make, be it very big or very small. Neither does He let us go scot-free when we ignore Him in making our decisions. And sometimes we pay an inordinately high price for that ignorance, as Asa found out. Listen to the Good Book tell the tale: ‘And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host (army) of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect (loyal) toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time. And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not the Lord, but to the physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.’ (2 Chr.16:7-10,12-13) Oh Friends Asa was summarily rebuked by God’s prophet for his breach of trust, and suffered judgement for it. He then foolishly persecuted the seer because he had the gall to rebuke him, and also oppressed some of his own people. He ended up sick, dying in shame, and even then he still refused to petition the Lord for help, but instead chose imperfect, mortal physicians. Oh my people, how soon we forget the source of our help! Now what caused Asa’s spiritual decline eh? How could he, in his right mind, forget God’s omnipotence and turn to mortal man? Was it the power? There is some truth to the saying that ‘power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ But let’s look at another godly stalwart who faltered badly in his later years; that wisest of all men, Solomon. It wasn’t power that corrupted Cousin Sol, but the many pagan women he married. As the old Derrick Harriot song ‘Solomon’ so rightly says: ‘Solomon was the wisest man, but he didn’t know the secrets of a woman.’ And isn’t that an awesome truth men! None of us really know the workings of women. (smile) And for you ladies who are ready to take umbrage at that statement, please don’t, because it’s true, otherwise the relationship between the sexes would not be as controversial as it is. And the moral of the story Friends, is NEVER, I repeat, NEVER leave God out of your decisions and your life, because the repercussions sometimes can greatly outweigh the benefits we receive from our ungodly actions. Wow! We’ve finally reached the end of this Bit, which I originally envisioned for one day, but through the Holy Spirit’s guidance took six days. That’s just a simple example of the Lord’s mentality being so much higher than ours, and that we should learn to obey the promptings of His Spirit, and never turn our backs on Him. Till tomorrow then Friends, God in favour, walk carefully under the Lord’s protective umbrella. Much LOVE!…our first call for help…MUST ALWAYS BE TO GOD…
 

Ezekiel 20:7.    Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
 
Oh Friends, up here in the North, the days appear to be getting shorter and the nights seemingly longer, in preparation for the winter season. But on a positive note, the natural scenery is becoming more colourful every day. Our God is certainly enjoying His painting this year. Last afternoon I looked out my bedroom window which overlooks my neighbours’ backyards and was thrilled by a most exhilarating and beautiful scene. In the background was one of those tall, spreading trees with it’s numerous small leaves painted a lustrous yellow, while in the foreground, dwarfed by its neighbour, was a smaller tree with larger leaves painted a brownish red or russet. But in the bright sunshine they certainly formed a colourful picture; the russet and yellow contrasting beautifully together. I obviously feasted my eyes on the breathtaking scene for a few moments and gave thanks for having the eyesight and the opportunity to behold such an inspiring picture. Oh Friends, if you’re not a nature LOVER, then I encourage you to become one, for there’s nothing that brings more peace and tranquility to your spirit than a bit of God’s lush, colourful handiwork. Enough of my autumn musings though. (smile) Hear God’s directive to the Israelites: ‘Cast ye away every man the abominations of (in front of) his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’ And as promised, we’ll continue Asa’s story. After Judah had destroyed the pagan paraphernalia, the Good Book says: ‘So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. And they offered unto the Lord the same time, of the spoil (plunder) they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep. And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. And they sware (took an oath) unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets (ram’s horns). And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the Lord gave them rest round about…But the high places (places for pagan worship) were not taken out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect (loyal) all his days. And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver and gold and vessels. And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.’ (2 Chr.20:10-15,17-19) Oh Friends, yuh see what happens when we work together, and even more importantly, for good and not for evil! Because Judah saw the light and joyfully turned back to serving the God of their fathers, their lives were much improved, filled with peace and not war. That’s exactly what we need in our society today; a complete turning around of our evil, ungodly ways, of our bowing to the idols and fleshly lusts of the world. Oh my people, I can guarantee that if a reformation, such as took place in Judah back then, was to ensue now…WOW!…our lives would be greatly improved. There’d be much more peace, much less violence, more togetherness, families would once again be families, less greed and selfishness; in other words, our society would be filled with many more godly attributes than the iniquity filled one in which we now live. But as we saw yesterday, to accomplish such a transformation, we first need prophetic vision and strong leaders, or a people who want it badly enough to override their evil, incompetent leaders. It won’t be easy or happen overnight since Beelzebub and his cronies won’t give up without a valiant fight. However, please remember that the first step is always the hardest, but the most important. And since we don’t seem to have the leaders strong, willing or able enough to do it, then the change has to begin with a groundswell from us, the people suffering under the evil, incompetent, ungodly rule. Oh my brethren, I don’t know how to convince us that our very existence depends on getting the Lord God Jehovah back into the mainstream of our lives. I don’t remember what I was reading or watching recently, but the punch line was that a displeased, unhappy God said that He didn’t need to destroy the world for our disobedience because the politicians were already doing it. And isn’t that the living truth! But Friends, we can’t blame the politicians for everything, we also need to take a fair amount of it, for if we so strongly dislike the leaders’ doings, there are a number of ways for us to stop them. However, most of us either approve and enjoy their worldly leanings, or are just too lazy, lethargic and uninterested to get involved in remedial action. So basically when the corruption and ungodliness continues unabated, we have to blame ourselves too. Oh my Friends, let’s wise up nuh! Regardless of whether or not you believe in God, it’s obvious that some serious changes need to be made in our society for we are on a steep downhill slide and the powers that be don’t seem genuinely interested in fixing it, but more interested in strengthening or increasing their power and wealth. It’s about time we stop complaining and step up to the plate and do something serious and concrete for ourselves, else we’ll languish in poverty, misery, oppression and ungodliness until we eventually perish. We can start by electing God centred candidates in the elections and by doing Christian work in our own backyards. It’s only a small, first step towards returning to a godly world, but one that desperately needs taking. Till we meet again, God willing, walk safely and steadfastly with the Most High. Much Love!…you can’t always look to others for help…sometimes you’ve got to help yourself…like right now…

Ezekiel 20:7.    Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
 
Oh Friends, Thanksgiving Day is over in the north country, but not the giving of thanks, which must be a perpetual action. I hope we didn’t overdo the celebration, and gave much thanks for the good life we have. It’s time to go back out and labour, so let’s remember to put on our spiritual armour, with our trusted shield and sword ever at the ready, before going out to do a good job, one most worthy of our Saviour. We’ve had a long weekend, which means a short work week, so be exceedingly grateful. Anyway, let’s continue with this Bit that I never envisioned would hold forth for so many days. But as I am reminded every day, God does move in mysterious ways. The Lord told Israel to: ‘Cast ye away every man the abominations of (which were before) his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.’ Now on several occasions they didn’t listen and continued a whoring after other gods. But as we saw yesterday, under king Asa, they did make some godly changes, and today we’ll continue that story. Having destroyed most of the pagan places of worship and their man made idols, Asa and Judah turned to building walled cities, and they prospered because they had changed their evil ways. Another example of Asa’s obedience and faithfulness occurs when a huge Ethiopian army came against them. And in those days Friends, it wasn’t no joke war nuh! Hear the kind of army Asa had: three hundred thousand foot soldiers, and two hundred and eighty thousand archers. Now listen to the size of the force Zerah the Ethiopian brought to fight them: a host of one thousand thousand, that’s a million, and three hundred chariots. Wow! Even way back then they did some serious fighting mih breddren! And though Judah seemed to be overwhelmed by the Ethiopian invaders, Asa was not cowed, he did the right thing. ‘And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee. So the Lord smote (struck down) the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.’ (2 Chr.14:11-12) Yes Friends, that’s the way to do it: turn to the Lord Jehovah and ask His help whenever the enemy comes against us! For as Bruh David so rightly told Goliath before they fought: ‘for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.’ (1 Sam.17:47) Luckily for Judah, at that time there was prophetic vision in the land, per Cousin Sol’s warning: ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish (cast off restraint): but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.’ (Prov.29:18) And that prophetic vision in Asa’s time fell to Azariah, the son of Oded. When the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, he approached Asa and said: ‘Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.’ (2 Chr.15:2) Now that is an everlasting truth my people! Whenever we sincerely seek the Lord, we’ll always find Him. But if we ignore Him, then He’ll simply ignore us too. And Azariah continued his speech to Asa: ‘Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations (turmoil) were upon all the inhabitants of the countries. And nation was destroyed of (by) nation, and city of city: for God did vex (trouble) them with all adversity.’ (2 Chr.15:3-6) Oh my people, doesn’t that sound just like our world now? There doesn’t seem to be any sincere teacher, no true prophetic vision, and if there is, then the leaders aren’t listening. Our world is definitely in great turmoil; nation is destroying nation, and the Lord is certainly troubling us with much adversity through both natural and man made disasters. When are we going to learn eh mih breddren? When are we truly going to do as Azariah told Asa? ‘Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.’ (2 Chr.15:7) And that for sure it will be my Friends when we stand strong in the Lord and obey His will, which Asa did, through Azariah’s encouragement. That’s why it’s ever so important for believers to encourage each other my people! ‘And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed (restored) the altar of the Lord, that was before the porch of the Lord. And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell (came over) to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his God was with them.’ (2 Chr.15:8-9) Yes Friends, after Azariah spoke to Asa, his courage and faith in the Lord increased and he undertook a further purge of pagan activities, even against his own grandmother, Queen Maachah, who had made an idol in a grove. Asa cut it down, crushed and burnt it in the brook Kidron, then demoted her from being queen. Unfortunately though, the high places were not taken out of the sister kingdom of Israel. (2 Chr.15:16-17) Unfortunately too my brethren, time and space have run out for today. Tomorrow however, God willing, we’ll continue with Asa’s story because they’re some real important lessons that we can learn from it. Till we meet again then, please walk safely and steadfastly with the Lord. Much LOVE!…as Uncle Charles says…obey God…and leave all the consequences to Him…
 

Ezekiel 20:7.    Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

 Ezekiel 20:7.   Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

Oh Friends, is it just my perception, or are the days moving along more quickly than usual? It’s already the tenth of October, and the month just began last week. Ah well, let’s just hope that the cold, dreary winter days pass just as quickly, if not quicker, although I won’t bet on that. (smile) But today we’ll continue talking about the Lord’s warning to Israel re their disgusting, ungodly behaviour. And it will be mostly scriptures having some bearing on the topic, with very little verbiage from me, hopefully. (smile) Anyway, the Lord instructed the Israelites to: ‘Cast ye away every man the abominations of (which are before) his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.’ Now hear this bit of scripture from the early days of Israel, when Moses taught them the Lord’s law as recorded in Leviticus. It comes from a section dealing with forbidden acts of immorality. ‘And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the Lord your God. After the doings of (what is done in) the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances (statutes). Ye shall do my judgements, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgements: which if a man do (does, keeps), he shall live in (by) them: I am the Lord.’ (Lev.18:1-5) And Joshua, in his farewell address also warned Israel: ‘Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood (the Euphrates river), and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods. For the Lord our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: And the Lord drove out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the Lord; for he is our God. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord: for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt (harm), and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel. And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey. So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them (made for them) a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.’ (Josh.24:14-25) Ah Friends, you see Joshua was faithful to his divine calling even till his dying days and tried to set the people straight before he was called home. He gave the people options, and they chose the wise one, had all the correct answers, and promised faithfully to serve the Lord God of their fathers who had done such great signs and wonders in bringing their fathers out of Egypt to the Promised Land. Note too Joshua’s careful reminder that you can’t serve God in a wishy-washy fashion, or forsake Him because He will turn right around and cause you harm immediately after doing you good, for He is holy, just and very jealous of His good name and all that pertains to Him. Oh Friends, I’m asking us today, like Joshua asked the Israelites long ago: whom are you going to serve, the Lord God Jehovah or Beelzebub? The choice is yours. The wise and sensible choice though is the Lord God Jehovah, since He is wiser, stronger and more faithful than Beelzebub. And above all, He has the best rewards going; salvation and eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ. Unfortunately the Israelites in Joshua’s time didn’t have that avenue available to them, but luckily we do, so please let’s use it wisely and choose to serve the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It will eventually prove to be the wisest decision we’ve ever made. But remember, once we choose to serve Him, we have to pull up our socks, forsake the things of Beelzebub and the lustful things of this world, else we’ll pay for our wrong doings because our God is a LOVING but serious God and will only put up with our shenanigans for so long. So till tomorrow, with God’s approval, when we’ll have a little more to say on this subject, go in peace to LOVE and serve the Lord. Much LOVE!…whom will you serve…as for me and mine…we will serve the Lord…